The Future

"While we try to teach children about life, children teach us what life is all about." Angela Schwindt

We tend to put a huge focus around children: Are we teaching them the right things? At home? At school? Are we involving them in enough extra curricular activities? Are they too involved? 

We want to make sure they're being fed the right information and nurtured in just the right way to grow up to be respectful and independent adults. 

And this is very important! 

However, so often, we forget how much WE learn from children. 

The last two and a half months we could not help but realize how much this is true! We've been surrounded by thousands of children; many of them teaching us more about life than we ever learned getting our college degrees. Life isn't all about theories and calculations or business trends and sales reports. While traveling through Tanzania and South Africa, we met a whole lot of children! We spent a lot of time with them, many times, not being able to communicate in the same language. The biggest thing that we learned was, in life, what is actually important is human interactions and showing love. 

Going into villages and getting up in front of many children can be a bit awkward (and sometimes intimidating) when you suddenly realize that you don't speak the same language. How in the world am I going to pass time for the next couple hours? Then suddenly, you see a few kids giggling and smiling and you realize, smiles and giggles are universal languages. We are so thankful for all the kids here reminding us of that on a weekly, if not, daily basis. Every time we worry if what we're doing is making any difference, we see the smiles and are reminded from these children that showing up and showing love is enough. 

Sitting here on our very last Sunday in Bloemfontein, we're reminded that our time here in South Africa is coming to an end. We are thankful beyond words for everything the children have taught us. When we think of the conditions and experiences these young kids have already faced but yet they're full of smiles and respect for others when they have no reason to be. These traits are truly inspirational. 

What have the children in your life taught you? Take some time this week to reflect on how you can learn from the innocence and love that children display. 

>>> 

We had an awesome long weekend. We hosted a Braai for the children at the CYCC on Thursday for Heritage Day. This was a big treat for them as meat is VERY special to the South Africans. 



We both tried our first serving of "pap" which is a South African staple. It's essentially corn meal and is typically eaten with your fingers. Not bad! 






This is KB, SFCS's director, and her daughter preparing the meat for the Braai.



A few of the kids having some fun while the meat cooks.



Getting a little water.





The finished products!



This sweet little girl was born in August, she came to the CYCC right when she was born -- she fell right asleep in Michelle's arms. Her name means "It's going to be OK."



The Braai crew -- a few of the staff from SFCS and the CYCC as well as one of our board members sisters. We had a great group!



On Wednesday, we all dressed up for Heritage Day at work. We both wore our clothes we had made locally in Tanzania. :)



On Friday one of the board members from SFCS, Sello, took us around Bloemfontein to experience some of the tourist sites. This is us at Naval Hill where there is a statue of Nelson Mandela. There were great views of the city at the top of Naval Hill! 

We have three more days of work with the ladies at the office and then we will be traveling back to Johannesburg on Thursday. We're excited to finish our time here participating in the Global Leadership Summit on Friday and Saturday. Sunday we will make our way to the airport and head home. We're blown away by how fast time has gone!  

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we wrap up our time here in South Africa. We are so thankful for each of you!

With Love,
Ty + Michelle